New lead

chesapeake724 · #1 10-14-2004, 04:48 PM

Well, the '93 didn't pan out. I followed up and they must've found a su...errrr, buyer, because it sold.

This boat's been listed a while, but I'm thinking it just hasn't sold because it's up in the mountains.

http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/2/8/33579528.htm

I asked all the critical questions and it sounds like I'd be justified in taking the 2-2.5 hr. drive. As usual, just seein' if you gents had any thoughts.

macojoe · #2 10-14-2004, 06:41 PM

Well looks good? And it seems to be a freash water boat for at least part of its life?
What the hell go for a nice weekend ride. look at the changing leafs, and maybe a picnic with the other 1/2, and who knows you maybe will get a boat too.

Good luck!

Pipe_Dream · #3 10-14-2004, 06:54 PM

I agree, take a ride and make a day of it and maybe you'll find it's what you want. It sounds like a fair deal if it's like they describe . . .
Just curious, if anyone knows - mine is also an '83, but the transom is different. Why is that?

chumbucket · #4 10-14-2004, 09:31 PM

Looks like a good boat and might be worth a drive to look it over.
It is older than an '83 though. it's only got a 20" transom. '83 had a raised transom that used a 25" leg motor.
Any idea on how old and condition of the motor?

chesapeake724 · #5 10-14-2004, 11:33 PM

Salesperson didn't respond with the exact year on the engine. He said it had about 200 hours, which made me think it's newer than an '83. Just going off the images, I'm thinking early to mid 90's. You guys would know more, but from all the stuff in the gallery, the taller cap does look like the 80's style. But the transom looks like the older style, CB? If the thing was refurb-ed, I guess it's possible they cut the transom to use a 20" motor. Can you tell anything from the limited view into the cockpit and helm areas? I thought the '83 had the passenger chair on the storage box. Looks like that's been taken out.

This '83 looks to be in far better shape than the '83 that's about 15 mins. from my house. That one has a soft deck and cosmetically is "fair". When the ad highlights are basic features of the boat, you know it's not in good shape. That's this one...

http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/7/2/59152572.htm

The yard has to put a lower unit on the Merc 200, which they say is why they're asking well above book. I offered them $2500 when it first came on their lot, and they declined, saying they had to put on a lower unit. I'm seeing if they'll sell it to me cheap without the engine or the engine as is. There's a Merc dealer in Delaware that has a reputation for being top notch rebuilders.

We'll see if the Admiral wants to drag the whole clan up, or I might just make an up and back trip myself. Thanks for the replies as usual.

Mac_Attack · #6 10-15-2004, 07:28 AM

Like the others have said its a nice time of the year for a road trip. *Last March my brother in law and my self made a 3 hour trip down to Cleveland to get a look at my V20. *Started the trip and half way there relised we had forgotten the compression tester. *Boat was in real good shape, questioned the Force engine, made him and her an offer contingent on a compression test. *Made the trip again the next weekend and brought her home in a cold March rain. *Good luck! *Bill Mc ;D

Airslot · #7 10-15-2004, 10:13 AM

Can't judge year by transom height. My 87' has a 20" transom.

Airslot

#8 10-15-2004, 10:26 PM

NEW LEAD *???

Blast from the past. ;D

I remember this ad from my search last summer.

My gut feeling was that this is a 20 + year old boat with a big (yeah 200 is big) motor that has been beat on relentlessly - waterskiing and tubing on this vacation lake. The boat already needed rebuilding (repairs) years ago, and is about shot now. The motor is probably as worn out as a motor can be, from a million and one hole shots. :(

Yeah, it would be swell to get a cherry freshwater boat like Mac did :), but this ain't it. :'(

CPK, sorry for sounding so pessimistic, but that is/was my honest impression of this ad. If you really feel like burning gas for 5 hours, do yourself a favor and have the salesman call you with the boat VIN # and the motor model and serial # BEFORE you make the trip. That way you will at least know for sure what year the stuff is. :-/

#9 10-15-2004, 10:29 PM

Oh, and that 20 inch transom ... better stay on the lake. :o

chesapeake724 · #10 10-16-2004, 12:57 AM

Like I said in my other threads, SK, I see all feedback as having value, whether it's positive or negative. :)

The guy I'm trading emails with said the motor is an '86 and that he checked the HIN and it checked out as an '83. CB wasn't certain, but I trust airslot's response that an '83 can have either.

That brings up a point about 20" transoms. As you can guess, I'll be boating/fishing on the Chesapeake, which is tight chop vs. swells. Should I be concerned about the engine getting swamped, or just shipping water over the lower notch? I have small kids, so if I have to, I'm going to rig some barrier (removable panel of starboard, most likely) to keep the 'crew' onboard and to do double duty as a splash blocker.